Problems with 2004 Ford Explorer STRUCTURE

Tl* the contact owns a 2004 ford explorer. the contact stated that the rear lift gate panel was fractured below the glass. the vehicle was never involved in a crash. the vehicle was not taken to a dealer for repairs nor was the manufacturer notified of the failure. the failure mileage was 47,000.

Tl*the contact owns a 2004 ford explorer. while the vehicle was parked, the contact stated that the lift gate strut fractured without warning. the failure was similar to nhtsa campaign id number:04v442000 (structure:body:hatchback/liftgate:hinge and attachments). the dealer and manufacturer informed the contact that his vehicle was not included in the recall and offered no additional assistance. no repairs were made. the current mileage was 35,000 and the failure mileage was 30,000. the vin was unavailable.

Back glass hatch fell off in my hands could have really hurt someone. *tr

Crack suddenly appeared in the rear panel below the window. from the glass to the bottom of the hatch. had window tightened. *tr

Vertical crack in the plastic tailgate attached to the rear window left of the ford emblem. ford dealer said they have seen many of these, so i feel this is a design flaw & ford should fix for free. ford giving me run a round. so much for ford tough. who should i contact to get this fixed for free? or should i take it to the news station about just how tough ford trucks are.... they crack like easter eggs....... i have never had this off road and keep it in a garage.

10/20/2010 - spokane, washington - rear panel under back glass around ford logo cracked after a cool morning 32-35 degrees. the crack extends from the window all the way to the bottom of the panel. *tr

Tl*the contact owns a 2004 ford explorer. the contact stated that the rear panel was cracked by the emblem in the rear liftgate. the vehicle had not been inspected or repaired at the time of the complaint. the contact called the manufacturer who stated that there was no recall related to the failure. the current and failure mileages were approximately 55,000.

2004 ford explorer cracked panel below the rear window. *tr

Tl* the contact owns a 2004 ford explorer. the contact observed a long hair line fracture along the panel below the rear windshield. the vehicle was taken to the dealer where they informed the contact that the rear windshield panel would need to be replaced. the vehicle was not repaired. the failure mileage was 44,000. the consumer also stated he had difficulty shifting the gear into reverse. updated 01/06/11 updated 01/24/11 *bf updated 02/03/11

Tl*the contact owns a 2004 ford explorer. the contact stated that the plastic panel on the rear hatch was cracked and could potentially fall off. the contact called the dealer regarding the cracked panel and the dealer informed her that there was no recall regarding the plastic panel and stated that the part was available for purchase. the contact had not replaced the plastic panel. the failure mileage was 74,000.

Tl*the contact owns a 2004 ford explorer. on october 7, 2010, the contact noticed that the rear liftgate glass had a crack in the panel. the dealer stated that there were no related recalls. the contact called the manufacturer who stated she might be eligible for reimbursement, if there failure became a recall. the current and failure mileages were approximately 57,000.

Tl*the contact owns a 2004 ford explorer. the contact noticed two cracks below the rear window on the tailgate. the contact called the manufacturer who offered no assistance. the failure mileage was approximately 98,000.

2004 explorer with 110k miles - developed crack in liftgate panel app dec 2008. ford covered 80% of repair cost of $750 since vehicle was under 75k miles, even though an obvious design flaw. sept 29, 2010 rear hatch window hinge breaks causing door to fall onto my hands and legs...sore but not permanent. two co-workers had to help me raise it up enough to lock it in place. dealer repaired for $65 parts in $170 labor. dangerous and unsafe. *tr

A crack has formed in the rear lift gate panel. it occurred overnight while not in use about 2 weeks ago. i didn't think much of it until i began noticing many other explorers and mercury mountaineers of about the same year (2002-2004) with the same defect. i decided to see if there was a recall, but all i could find was a lot of people complaining and no action from ford. i don't know how many others have filed a complaint with you, but at one website there are at least 290 other owners who have posted a complaint. if your interested, here is the link: http://www.carcomplaints.com/ford/explorer/2004/body_paint/cracked_panel_below_the_rear_window.shtml. *tr

There is a crack in the rear panel under the windshield of my 2004 ford explorer xlt. aside from being unsightly, i'm afraid that this crack will weaken the panel which is integral to keeping the rear windshield seated properly. *tr

Tl*the contact owns a 2004 ford explorer. while examining the vehicle the contact noticed a crack on the panel below the rear window. the vehicle has not been diagnosed and there were no prior warnings. the current and failure mileages were 89000. updated 01/03/11

Panel beneath rear glass cracks on ford explorers. several reports of same occurrence on internet and 3 (including myself) where i work. almost all same description, "panel breaks near ford emblem". *tr

Tl*the contact owns a 2004 ford explorer. the contact stated that the panel in the rear liftgate was split. the contact called the dealer who stated that the failure was common. the contact called the manufacturer who stated that there were no recalls and repairs would be at his expense. the failure mileage was approximately 62,000.

1. panel below rear window cracked nov 2009; crack is located to the left of ford emblem and is the length of the panel. ford refused to repair free of charge; we did not repair it. 2. this morning tailgate glass blew out while car was parked in our garage and thankfully no one was near it when it happened as glass flew everywhere. car had not been driven for over 24 hrs. *tr

One of the rear lift gate hinges has failed. the pin has pushed through the hinge. the structural strength of the aluminum used as seemed to failed. the other hinge shows similar signs of failing but has not completely failed. *tr

Cracked rear panel on 2004 ford explorer. drove it through a car wash and it shattered. it can fly off and hit someone. *tr

I discovered a crack in the plastic panel below the rear window of my 2004 ford explorer last night while unloading groceries. there had been no impact to this area of the vehicle so i had no idea where it came from. i checked with a local body shop and the estimator told me this is a very common issue with ford explorers and mercury mountaineers. it was apparently a manufacturing defect and that i should check with ford. i stopped by the local ford dealership but the service manager was out to lunch. the salesman i talked to said he saw the problem a number of time when he worked at the lincoln mercury dealer. waiting for the service manager to call me. *tr

Tl* the contact owns a 2004 ford explorer. the contact attempted to close the rear lift gate window and the hinges fractured causing the glass to fall and shatter over her head. she suffered minor injuries as a result. the vehicle was taken to an authorized dealer where she was awaiting a diagnosis of the failure and repairs. the failure and current mileage was 80,000.

Tl* the contact owns a 2004 ford explorer. the contact stated that the liftgate was fractured down the center. the vehicle was taken to an authorized dealer where the contact was informed that he would be responsible for replacing the entire liftgate. the vehicle was not repaired. the manufacturer offered no assistance. the failure mileage was approximately 45,000 and the current mileage was approximately 48,000. updated 12/21/10*bf the consumer stated no repairs were made. he believed the integrity of the rear window liftgate has been compromised. updated 12/29/10

Tl* the contact owns a 2004 ford explorer. the contact stated that there was a small oblique on the rear liftgate which fractured. the vehicle was taken to the dealer where they advised replacing the oblique but the vehicle was not repaired. the manufacturer was contacted and they offered no assistance. the failure mileage was approximately 65,000.

Tl*the contact owns a 2004 ford explorer. while the vehicle was parked, she opened the rear glass window located on the lift gate. the window was open for a few moments until one of the two hinges broke resulting in the window hanging by one hinge. upon examining the broken hinge she noticed that the screw holding the hinge in place also broke in half. the failure was not diagnosed. the vehicle was not repaired. she also stated that the vehicle hesitated to shift into reverse and would lunge forward before moving in reverse. when shifting from reverse to drive, the failure recurred and she heard a popping noise when the vehicle finally shifts into gear. the failures have occurred intermittently. the vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who was unable to diagnose the failure. the vehicle was not repaired and the failure continued to recur intermittently. the failure and current mileages were 160,000.

I have a 2004 explorer and i lifted the glass hatch today and it broke and began to fall on my head, luckily i reacted and grabbed it before it knocked me out. i had to get help because it was to heavy for me because i have a bad back, had surgery and was afraid that i was going to re damage. i had to have my husband come up there while we held it because struts would not fold it in. took it to ford and am being charged a diagnostic charge to diagnosis it i am not sure that is needed, and parts are going to be $155, and i was told that they are not responsible for the window if it breaks! parts are not available they said they will order. i have no car, no warranty, and a sore back from another problem ford is aware of but refuses to accept responsibility for. thank god it did not hit my 11 year old in the head or neck this could be very dangerous even deadly. *tr

Tl* the contact owns a 2004 ford explorer. the contact stated that the rear liftgate exhibited a fracture down the middle of the hatch. the vehicle was not taken to the dealer for diagnosis or repairs. the manufacturer was not contacted and the vehicle was not repaired. the failure mileage was 72,000 and the current mileage was 78,000.

In july 2010, i noticed a crack in the panel portion of the back window hatch of my 2004 ford explorer. i reported this to my dealer, who more or less said welcome to the club, and told me to contact the body shop. the cost of $500-600 would have to be paid by me and there is no reason to think that it won't happen again. i am so disappointed in ford motor co., i thought i could expect more from a local manufacturer. it seems to me that this is something that should have been discovered in product tests and/or trials. why didn't ford know that the material they used was not capable of standing up to the use in the area they placed it? *tr

2004 ford explorer lift gate glass fell off after upper left hand hinge snapped. secondary failure of left hand gas shock shearing near mounting boss on gate. *tr 1) the glass lift gate was getting harder to close. i believe corrosion loosened the hinge joint to the glass. 2) the failure was immediate and without warning. the back gate came crashing down and the right hand side came flying up. 3) short term fix - visqueen and duct tape. long term fix - will be to disassemble and replace the hinge/shock assembly.

Tl* the contact owns a 2004 ford explorer. the contact stated that the rear liftgate glass hinge was fracturing from the vehicle. the dealer informed the contact that the hinge would need replacing and there were no recalls for the vehicle. any repair to the vehicle would be at the contacts expense. the vehicle was not repaired. the failure mileage was 115,000 and the current mileage was 150,100.

Closing the glass liftgate on a 2004 ford explorer, the hinge pin pulled through the hinge structure causing the glass to drop. while attempting to catch the glass hand was pinned, but no injury was suffered. *tr

Tl* the contact owns a 2004 ford explorer. the contact stated there was a crack on the rear lift gate from the vehicle logo toward the rear door. the contact stated in cold temperatures, the crack was barely visible yet in warmer temperatures, the crack would expand. the dealer advised the failure was common in his year, make and model but was not under recall. the failure mileage was 78,000 and the current mileage 78,500.

2004 ford explorer has a cracked rear panel splitting the entire back panel. i contacted ford and they will not do anything about it. i think it could be a safety concern as the whole panel could break off by the rear window. i've researched this on line and this appears to be a common issue with my year explorer. ford should take responsibility for their faulty product.

I was driving down the street and heard a noise. we turned around and the liftgate had fallen off its on hinges and was hanging loose on both sides. we had to hold it on and drive the car back home. the car has not been driven since that date in 2010. ford needs to be responsible for the 2004 model and all of its defective products. this is the second complaint that i have filed against ford concerning this car. the first was a #2 valve falling in the engine and causing the engine to blow up. nhtsa please do something about ford. someone has to make car manufacturers responsible to the consumer. every time that nhtsa is contacted nothing is done until millions are negatively affected. *tr

I noticed a crack in the panel beneath my rear window in my 2004 ford explorer. the crack has continued to get larger since i noticed it a couple months ago. *tr

Vertical crack under the rear window. *tr

On friday, may 28, 2010 my husband attempted to open the liftgate on our 2004 ford explorer when the glass separated from the vehicle and landed in his hands. it did not shatter because he was holding onto it. upon inspection, we discovered that the left hinge that connects the liftgate to the vehicle had snapped. the liftgate is currently hanging on the right hinge as we do not have the resources at this time to have it repaired. i have since learned that investigation of the same part was opened in june 23, 2004 and closed on october 24, 2008. although on page 12 of the response to nhtsa ford motor company admits that this failure is caused by "the use of non-optimal coating on the steel pin that joins the two zinc die-cast sections of the hinge", the company assumes no financial responsibility in covering the repairs because no recall has been issued. i urge you to take a proactive approach to this issue as it could cause serious injury and there are numerous complaints from consumers who are not aware that they can report them to this agency. *tr

Letter to the deputy administrator from senator burr on behalf of constituent concerning a crack in the plastic surrounding the rear window of her 2004 ford explorer *tgw

Rear hatch cracked on my 2004 ford explorer. *tr

Noticed the lift gate hinge of our 2004 ford explorer is cracked. we've now removed the glass from the lift gate and are trying to find parts for it. this is a potential danger, not knowing when the glass can crack/shatter. this is obviously a defect in the manufacturing of the part. *tr

Tl*the contact owns a 2004 ford explorer. the contact noticed that the rear plastic tailgate strip was cracked in the center. the vehicle was taken to an authorized dealer for inspection. the technician informed that the manufacturer would be responsible for the expense of replacing the plastic strip for vehicles that do not exceed 36,000 miled. the vehicle was not repaired because the contact exceeded the required mileage. the failure mileage was approximately 40,000. the vin was unavailable.

Tailgate/door with glass cracked and broke. fiberglass was made far too weak and cracked. this is a common problem with this vehicle. *tr

Tl* the contact owns a 2004 ford explorer. while sitting idle, the contact pressed the passenger rear window release button and the hinge fractured from the vehicle. the manufacturer would not provide any assistance. the vehicle had not yet been repaired. the current and failure mileages were 74,800. updated 06/03/10*bf updated 06/07/10.*jb

The hatchback hinge on my 2004 ford explorer broke yesterday, luckily i caught it before it hit my 4 year old in the head. the same thing happened on a 2002 ford explorer i owned before, but that was recalled and ford fixed it. this model is not included in the recall, but the part is obviously defective. it could have easily hit someone and hurt them, or fallen off while i was driving and caused an accident. *tr

I am so angry., i own a 2003 and a 2004 explorer. the 2004 has a crack that suddenly appeared in the rear panel. ford knows this is and has been a problem with a defect in their product and talk condescendingly to their customers on the phone if you try to discuss it with them. they are not capable of doing anything but reading a response from a card, they are unable to have any type of conversation other than reading their canned response. this is the last time that i will buy a ford. *tr

Went to load something in the back of my explorer and noticed a black line running down between the window and tailgate and could not believe it was cracked,,did nothing to cause it to crack. i got online and found that many other owners have had the exact same thing to happen. i suppose it will be treated like the transmission issues that i and many many other owners have had also, just ignored but never recalled although case after case after case have been reported. *tr

2004 ford explorer right rear liftgate hinge pin has corrosion causing the hinge to break loose from the glass. when opening the window it broke and fell on my husband while loading cargo. the right side shock (strut) has seemed to get stuck at times making it hard to close the hatch. *tr

Have a 2004 ford explorer i bought new. it now has approximately 95250 miles. after washing car 2-5-10, a mild day here in ct though wintertime, i noticed trim panel under rear window showed vertical crack most all the way through. several days later crack had migrated all the way through to bottom of panel. contacted ford customer service online 2-17-10 asking if this was a safety concern as had read others had it happen to them as well on various automobile websites like edmunds. understood before writing it was not a recall at that time. got a polite response 2-18-10 that though sorry for the inconvenience, i should bring it to the dealer for assessment. i never thought it was bad enough to warrant such a trip. however, i am noticing that the window how seems to rattle when closing if only the window portion is opened rather than the entire rear door. i really want to believe that the window is not in jeopardy of separating from the frame when i'm driving down the road. can you confirm that other explorer owners of this vintage have in fact registered complaints with nhtsa as i am doing tonight. will ford be asked to make repairs to owner's vehicles for this defect? thank you in advance for your feedback. *tr

Crack in rear panel on lift gate below window at the ford emblem. *cn